What model of Champion snowblower is it?
The Champion ST556 snow blower is designed for cleaning medium-sized areas. Equipment:
- petrol engine G160 SHK;
- wheels with 12-inch tires;
- chute with lever drive;
- auger, skids and auger box;
- lever for shifting gears, turning on the drive, rotating the auger and adjusting the rotation of the chute;
- shovel for cleaning the gutter.
The model is considered a budget model, so it is not equipped with heated handles, an electric starter, or a wheel lock.
However, the technology copes with its task perfectly. Champion has been producing snow blowers since 2005. All equipment is assembled in modern factories located in China. In this case, components are supplied from European countries. Therefore, all models of this manufacturer are reliable and durable.
Why choose CHAMPION ST556?
Electric devices are designed to deal with snow cover several cm thick, but if the snow is ankle-deep or higher, it is better to use a gasoline device. Most owners of private houses do not need a huge, powerful snow blower, suitable even for industrial use, because it is not only very expensive, but due to its size it is very heavy .
To work with such a monster, experience and great physical strength are required, so the most in demand are, albeit less powerful, but noticeably lighter, analogues. CHAMPION ST556 can be called the golden mean of budget devices, because with a fairly strong motor and a wide grip, it is relatively light in weight.
This model copes well with freshly fallen and slightly compacted snow 20–40 cm high, but the power reserve helps it overcome deeper cover, although in this case cleaning will have to be carried out in 2 times, removing first the top, then the bottom layer.
It copes well with thin crust on a not too deep and compacted layer, but if the snow is compacted or the thickness of the crust layer exceeds 1–2 cm, then its efficiency drops sharply .
The same problem also occurs with noticeably more powerful and larger snowplows, so if you don’t let the situation get worse, the capabilities of the CHAMPION ST556 are more than enough for home use. At the same time, it is noticeably cheaper than analogues with increased productivity.
It also has advantages over cheap analogues, because it surpasses them in working width and engine torque, which means it can cope where they would be useless. Therefore, CHAMPION ST556 is not an ideal snow blower, but it is good as a device for cleaning the area around a large house.
There are other factors influencing the choice of this model:
- simple design and high maintainability;
- high availability of any spare parts;
- the ability to use drive belts from other manufacturers;
- good price/performance ratio;
- high quality workmanship.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the Champion ST556 Snow Blower model:
Gasoline 4-stroke air-cooled engine that handles large volumes of snow with ease.- Power 5.5 l. With. These values are enough to clean an area of 500-600 square meters. m.
- Possibility of using AI-92 gasoline.
- Large wheels that make the vehicle passable even in areas with difficult terrain.
- A wide bucket for capturing snow of 56 cm. It is convenient for them to work not only in open areas, but also on small paths and sidewalks.
- Durable and reliable metal screw.
- Possibility of turning the gutter 90 degrees in different directions.
Disadvantages of technology:
- Lack of a headlight, without which it is difficult to work in the evening.
- A gasoline engine, which, despite its advantages, requires refueling and oil changes.
- Manual starting of the starter, which can create some inconvenience.
Chinese or not?
This question is especially relevant for those who remember the low quality of Chinese goods in the 90s of the twentieth century, so we will tell a brief history of the emergence of the Champion brand.
In 2005, the Russian wholesaler of gasoline-powered tools and garden equipment, the Wald company, initiated the creation of a joint venture to produce products under the Champion brand.
One of the participants in this project was the American manufacturer of engines for garden equipment, Briggs & Stratton. Then several Chinese factories were selected that produced garden equipment, after which an agreement was concluded with them.
The new company was focused on the Russian market, but the technology was supplied by the Chinese and Americans , and the latter also monitored the quality of the products.
As a result, relatively inexpensive, but at the same time effective and reliable equipment that best suits Russian conditions has appeared under the CHAMPION brand.
But to consider it Chinese, American or Russian is something everyone decides for themselves. Moreover, in the age of globalization, Japanese computers, as well as American cars, are assembled all over the world, but no one disdainfully calls them “Chinese” or “Romanian”, because the quality of workmanship is comparable to the original.
Assembly
Before you begin assembling the machine, you must read the instructions and check the presence of all elements. The original packaging should contain not only the main parts, but also bolts and nuts for fastening them.
The assembly procedure for the Champion ST556 snow blower is as follows:
- install levers with cables on the frame and tighten them with nuts;
- a chute is mounted on the auger casing, fixed with bolts through gaskets, which should be laid with the protrusions upward;
- The lower part of the chute rotation lever is installed in the bracket, and it is adjusted until tight adhesion with the gear sector is achieved;
- install the chute rotation lever into the working handle, connect its upper part, fixing them with a bolt and nut.
Preparing for launch
Before putting the machine into operation, it must be prepared. Main stages:
Refueling the engine with gasoline.
This must be done with the engine turned off. To avoid inhaling harmful fumes, the procedure is carried out indoors with good ventilation or outdoors.The tank is not completely filled; there should be approximately 25 mm of free space left to the neck. After refueling, screw the cap tightly.
- Filling the engine with oil. It is not filled at the factory. Place the equipment on a flat surface and remove the cover covering the hole. Pour oil into it and measure the level using a dipstick. It should match the top mark. Close the neck and start the engine for 30 seconds, after which the oil level is measured again. If necessary, it is topped up.
- If the equipment is not used for the first time, then the oil level is checked before each start.
- Adjust the position of the screws. The casing is raised and lowered using levers located on its outer side. If you have to clear snow on a hard surface (sidewalks and paths), then it is pressed closer to the ground, for this purpose the skids are lifted up. When passing through rocky and uneven areas, the casing, on the contrary, is raised, lowering the skids.
- Check tire pressure. It should be 1.4 kg/cm2.
After completing all the preparatory activities, you can begin to work.
Is it possible to buy cheaper?
For some homeowners, 30 thousand is too much money, so they are looking for an opportunity to buy such equipment cheaper. The most effective way is to take advantage of the discounts offered by many regular and online stores.
After all, the main task of such stores is to quickly sell the goods, but if they are not in demand for a long time, then their storage brings losses, so they are ready to reduce the price in order to quickly get rid of such a burden.
Most often, such discounts and promotions are available in the summer, when the demand for snow removal equipment is minimal.
Another option is to purchase a refurbished device. When a buyer discovers a defective product, he returns it to the store , which sends the defective equipment for repair. After restoration, it is in no way inferior to new analogues, but it costs noticeably less, because this is provided for by the Law of the Russian Federation of 02/07/1992 N 2300-1 “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”.
In addition, we recommend using the YandexMarket service, where you will find several stores selling this snow thrower, and often their prices differ by several thousand rubles.
How to launch and use?
The Champion ST556 snow blower is started after checking the fuel level according to the following algorithm:
- move the fuel valve lever to the right until it stops to open the fuel valve;
- close the air damper if the engine is cool at the time of starting;
- move the gas lever 1/3 of the way towards the hare designation (maximum speed);
- press the fuel primer three times (if the engine is cold);
- turn the switch to the “On” position;
- turn the engine crankshaft using a manual starter, when resistance appears, slowly lower its handle down, then pull it again as soon as the starter engages with the flywheel, sharply pull its handle and start the engine, when it starts, return the handle to its original position;
- after the engine has warmed up, open the air damper - on average, the whole process takes about a minute.
Rules for operating the equipment:
Before you start clearing snow, you need to check the drives and levers. If necessary, change the tension of the cables.- The direction of snow ejection is adjusted manually, as well as the angle of inclination of the gutter visor.
- Speed gears are changed only when the snow blower is stopped.
- If the snow is heavy, wet or dense, you should not use the entire width of the auger to grab it.
- When moving forward or backward, do not pull the machine in the opposite direction. This will damage the drive.
- After completing cleaning, you do not need to immediately turn off the engine. The gear shift lever is moved to the neutral position and the engine is allowed to run for another 5 minutes, only after that it is turned off by moving the switch to the “Off” position.
- Be sure to close the fuel valve to prevent gasoline from entering the carburetor.
It is recommended to start removing snow immediately after it falls, and throw it in the direction of the wind.
Useful tips
This device is designed for cleaning shallow, freshly fallen snow, and the shorter the snow cover, and the thinner it is, the higher the gear can be engaged to throw it away.
To choose the right speed, focus on the thickness of the layer of freshly fallen dry snow:
- 5–15 cm – fourth;
- 15–35 – third;
- 35 and more – second.
If you have to clear the area of wet snow, then turn on the gears one lower, that is, instead of fourth, third, etc.
If the snow is also covered with crust, then use only first and second gears, otherwise the load on the gearbox will greatly increase and the friction lining will quickly fail.
To turn the snow blower, release the wheel drive lever, then turn the machine in the desired direction. If your gear lever housing is not modified, then it is easier to pull the snow blower back using your own strength than to use standard reverse gear, because even in second gear it moves extremely slowly.
If it is difficult to drag the snow blower, then engage second reverse gear and, pressing the lever, point it in the desired direction.
Maintenance and storage
To ensure that the Champion ST556 snow blower does not require repair for as long as possible, you must comply with the manufacturer’s requirements for its operation and storage:
- after each working session, the impeller, auger and chute are cleared of snow;
- Equipment should be stored in a place protected from dust and precipitation; temperature changes also negatively affect the service life of the device;
- every 300 hours of operation it is necessary to service the fuel tank; to do this, the remaining gasoline and condensate are drained from it, and then washed;
- Before long-term storage, drain the fuel from the tank, if necessary, change the engine oil, also turn out the spark plug and pour about 1 teaspoon of oil inside so that it disperses, turn the shaft several times;
- to protect the internal parts of the engine from corrosion, you need to close the valves - to do this, turn the starter handle until resistance appears;
- Lubricate the worm gear of the rotary drive with oil.
Characteristics
- Warranty period – 12 months
- Power – 5.5 horsepower
- Engine displacement – 160 cubic meters
- Recoil starter - yes
- Engine – petrol, Champion G160HK
- Engine country of origin: China
- Transmission with friction disc - yes
- Gearbox – mechanical, with 4 forward and 2 reverse gears
- Cotter pin for unlocking wheels - yes
- Bucket width – 560 mm
- Bucket height – 510 mm
- Fuel tank capacity – 3.6 liters
- Method of attaching the auger to the bucket - bushing
- Metal gutter - yes
- Double-sided support skis made of plastic - yes
- Gearbox housing – aluminum, maintenance-free
- Weight – 62 kg
- The country of manufacture of the machine is China.
Owner reviews
Consumers who use the Champion ST556 model are satisfied with their choice. They note that the equipment starts easily even in the cold, and also copes well with its main task - removing snow.
People who have been using the device for more than 7 years indicate that it does not require complex repairs. Most owners of this model are satisfied with its cost .
The disadvantages include the inconvenient location of the auger shutdown lever and slow gear shifting. Reviews can be found here and here.
